Oswego Native Cole Dealt to Edmonton

Oswego native Erik Cole was traded to the Edmonton Oilers today in exchange for defenseman Joni Pitkanen. Cole, 29, had spent his first six NHL seasons with Carolina after the Hurricanes drafted him in the third round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He helped lead Carolina to a seven-game Stanley Cup Finals victory over Edmonton in 2006.

Edmonton also acquired former Syracuse Crunch forward Gilbert Brule from Columbus in exchange for Raffi Torres. Brule scored three goals and had two assists for Syracuse in the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Oswego's Cole Taken Off Ice on Stretcher

FROM ESPN.COM:

Carolina Hurricanes forward Erik Cole was removed from the ice on a stretcher in the third period of Monday's 4-3 win after colliding with Florida Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun.

Cole was injured at 12:34 as he was driving to the net. He was checked from behind by defenseman Jassen Cullimore and crashed headfirst into Vokoun's pads.

Cole remained motionless for several minutes before being placed on a stretcher.

The Miami Herald is reporting Cole did have movement in his arms and legs but did not want to leave the ice because of a prior neck injury, according to Sunrise paramedics.

Happy Birthday Erik Cole

Oswego's Erik Cole turns 29 today. Last season, Cole donated $1,000 to the Oswego Public Library expansion and renovation project for each of the 61 points he scored. This season, Cole sits third in the league in +/- with a +9 for the 9-3-3 Carolina Hurricanes. The 'Canes currently sit atop the Southeast division.